Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets Exploring New Trade Options

Despite Carmelo Anthony's assurance at the Nuggets' media day that he "never once said anything about trade talks," the fact that the team did not ask its star forward to participate in its promotional filming--among other factors--leads most observers to believe the team has no intention of keeping Melo.

In the wake of the Nuggets' backing off of a deal with New Jersey that would have brought the team Derrick Favors and Andrei Kirilenko, most outlets are still reporting that New Jersey remains the most plausible destination fro Melo. Any deal at this point could be dramatically different from the one that fell through over the weekend.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Nuggets soured on the original deal because it included Kirilenko, whose contract would have put the team over the salary cap.

Reported discussions with the Philadelphia 76ers are being held up by Anthony's unwillingness to sign a long-term deal in Philly.

Wojnarowski also reports that the Nuggets' inability to make a decision is likely indicative of an unclear power structure at the top of the team's front office. Others, however, are reporting that the team's delays are a calculated tactic to play teams against each other in order to get the best deal.